Export Fisheries Products Standards

Fisheries and marine product exports in 2011 increased. In the last year the export of fisheries and national marine broke through USD3,34 billion figure exceeds the government’s target in 2011 amounted to USD 3.2 billion. Director General Pengolahanan and Marketing of Fishery (P2HP) suggested in 2011, there were two important events in the fisheries and marine sector, among others, are: first, the harvest season and fishing season uncertain so it is difficult to know whether the supply is adequate or not for national fish processing industry needs.

Second, in 2011 the third quarter, the economy of the United States (US) and Europe experienced the shock of the financial crisis, but the CTF could still reach an increase in exports to $ 3.4 billion. Indonesia initially suspected affected, but it turns out we can continue to increase exports, the value of national production, both in aquaculture and fishing sector is for consumption. However, only approximately 20% which is then processed or in the form of raw materials which are then exported.

As for the value of total imports in 2011 amounted to 441 thousand tons. In it, there are 62 thousand tons of raw materials imported fish is then processed and re-exported. One of the main export commodities of Indonesia is tuna. Tuna production in Indonesia continued to increase in 2002 amounted to 148 439 tonnes by the year 2005 reached 183 144 tonnes (with the average production increase annually by 7.44%) (DKP 2007).

The development of the tuna industry in Indonesia is very prospective for fishing areas are available, the market has been established and supported the fisheries sector revitalization program by the Indonesian government. In line with the increased production of catches of tuna, also developed processing industry commodities, especially in locations as the center of the landing of tuna such as Muara Baru – Jakarta, Pelabuhanratu – West Java, Cilacap – Central Java, Benoa – Bali, and Bitung – North Sulawesi ,

Processing industry in general, tuna processing into fresh products (cold) in the form of whole weeded (fresh whole gilled and gutted), frozen products in the form of whole weeded (frozen whole gilled and gutted); loin (frozen loin), steaks (frozen steak) and canned products (canned tuna) (DKP 2005). Indonesia export fishery products to the EU (including Eastern Europe) in 2007 amounted to 82,462,139 kg with a value of US $ 296 096 624, while total exports to the United States amounted to 143 529 828 kg with a value of US $ 804 116 902, but for fresh tuna fish exports especially to Europe decreased due to rejection.

This rejection is caused by several problems, including high levels of histamine and heavy metals. Reports FDA (Food and Drug Administration) 2001-2005 show their rejection of Indonesian tuna product range, as the case of histamine and heavy metals. 2004 in the report of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) EU, there were 39 cases of histamine in fish exports, with 32 cases found in tuna.

RASFF is one of the system control of food and fishery products that enter and circulate in the EU. Indonesian tuna mentioned in this report contain lead, carbon monoxide and histamine. Follow-up of the report the EU to apply EU Commission Directive (CD) 236 2006 or barriers on the export of Indonesian fishery products. Commission Directive 236 is the rule of the European Union stating that on fishery products from Indonesia must be examined at the port of entry. Commission Directive 236 has caused additional cost and wait for fishery products at ports of entry in the EU.